BENGALURU: A day ahead of Kannada Rajyotsava, the Health Department has not received the government order pertaining to the implementation of the Arogya Bhagya scheme. Hospitals maintained that in the absence of a renewed MoU it will be business as usual even if patients turn up with medical or surgical emergencies. Except in the case of an accident, private hospitals are not in a position to treat patients free of cost even for 48 hours as envisioned in Arogya Bhagya.
Dr Sudha Chandrashekar, director, medical management, Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, confirmed that as on Monday evening there was no GO pertaining to the scheme. However both Dr Ratan Kelkar, director, National Health Mission, and Chandrashekar failed to confirm if the order is expected at least on Tuesday, one day before November 1, when the government intended to roll out the scheme.
Ajai Seth, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare did not respond to repeated calls and messages from Express.
Dr Madan Gaekwad, president, Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association, said, “We have received no official communication from the government on the scheme. Hence we have no idea on providing services under the scheme like medical and surgical emergencies.” There will be two categories of people under the scheme. While category A patients will get cashless treatment, category B will have to make a co-payment. Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar had announced that the scheme’s roll out was on track while chairing a meeting in Mysuru on October 25.